The discovery of remains from three people buried in a river channel under the village of McGrath has become even more interesting now that the first year of investigation is done.

The two men and child lived almost 1,000 years ago, researchers found. It’s very rare for human remains to survive intact for such an extended time, so this ancient trio has just opened a unique window into their time.

Tanana Chiefs Conference senior archaeologist Bob Sattler described the discovery as “hitting the lottery” because there has been nothing else like it from Interior Alaska. TCC has an agreement with organizations in McGrath to conduct the research.

McGrath lies 300 miles southwest of Fairbanks on the south side of a big bend in the Kuskokwim River across from the mouth of the Takotna River. It’s traditional Athabascan country, like the rest of the Interior, but it will take more work to determine if the people found in the old river channel are related to the modern-day people of the area.